What is the colour of peripheral venous cannula of 16G:

Appeared in: BHU NO-2019

Explanation

A 16-gauge (16G) peripheral venous cannula is universally color-coded as grey, as per standard medical color-coding systems.
This is considered a large-bore cannula, meaning it has a wide internal diameter, which allows for a high flow rate (approximately 180 mL/min).
Due to its high flow rate, it is primarily indicated for use in trauma situations, major surgical procedures, and any scenario requiring rapid fluid or blood product administration.

Option B: The color green corresponds to an 18G cannula, which is smaller than a 16G cannula.
Option C: The color yellow corresponds to a 24G cannula, which is a very small-bore cannula.
Option D: The color pink corresponds to a 20G cannula.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain IV cannula gauge sizes and their corresponding color codes as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Selecting the correct cannula size is a critical nursing skill that directly impacts patient safety and treatment effectiveness. Using a cannula that is too small can delay life-saving fluid resuscitation, while one that is too large can cause unnecessary pain and vein damage.
In an emergency, rapid identification of cannula size by its color allows for quick and efficient selection of the appropriate equipment without needing to read small print on the packaging.
What if? If a patient in hypovolemic shock requires rapid fluid resuscitation, and the nurse chooses a 22G (Blue) cannula instead of a 16G (Grey) or 14G (Orange), the flow rate would be too slow (36 mL/min vs. 180 mL/min) to effectively restore circulating volume, potentially leading to organ failure.

How to Approach the Question

This is a direct recall question testing knowledge of standard medical equipment color-coding.
Identify the core of the question: the color for a '16G' cannula.
Mentally access your knowledge of the IV cannula color chart, which is a fundamental piece of information for nurses.
Associate the gauge number (16G) with its corresponding color (Grey).
Confirm your answer by eliminating the other options, recalling their associated gauges: Green (18G), Pink (20G), and Yellow (24G).

Concept Tested & Keywords

QZn2dfVNkRIo4cxinolZWJ

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Taylor p. 1092-1094

Practise the full BHU NO-2019

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.